Elizabeth A. Sackler papers

Elizabeth A. Sackler, the daughter of Arthur M. Sackler, a psychiatrist who made a fortune in the pharmaceutical business and a noted patron of the arts, has been a tireless advocate on behalf of American Indians and the repatriation of their sacred objects as well as a self-described "matron"of feminist art". She has served as the CEO for her late father's foundation, The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, since 1987. In 1992 Sackler founded and continues to serve as president of the American Indian Ritual Object Repatriation Foundation (AIRORF). Two years earlier a federal law was enacted to ensure this process and Sackler, long concerned about what she and others refer to as cultural genocide, seized the moment. Over the past two decades, AIRORF has overseen the return of countless sacred objects to their rightful owners, created a guide to the process ("Mending the Circle,"1996), produced a widely acclaimed documentary ("Life Spirit,"1993), and helped to educate the public in general re: the moral, ethical and legal debates on-going in the art market and museum collection worlds. In 2002, Sackler established a foundation in her own name with a very explicit purpose--to provide a permanent home to Judy Chicago's iconic installation,"The Dinner Party"(1974-1979). Thanks to Sackler's generosity and the cooperation of the Brooklyn Museum,"The Dinner Party"is the centerpiece of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art,"a home where the feminist principles of equality and justice reside."(http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/about/benefactor_statement.php). In addition to"the Dinner Party,"the Center hosts traveling exhibits as well as sponsoring the Sackler Center First Awards, an annual event honoring extraordinary women who are first in their fields. The award, presented each year by Sackler and Gloria Steinem, was designed by Judy Chicago (http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/video/first-awards). Sackler, who earned a PhD in 1997 from the Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, has published and spoken widely about the moral and ethical aspects of art collections. She is the recipient of numerous awards in honor of her endless advocacy on behalf of those who lack a voice. As Sackler herself has said,"I do not think of myself as a benefactor. I am a public historian, social and arts activist, and American Indian advocate and as such have found myself being conscious of the world around me and taking action in many ways."(http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/about/benefactor_statement.php).